The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-12

CHAPTER V.-Co,;TINUED.
Mr. D. arose from the table, evidently
much annoyed. Myra's heart beat quick
Why should she trembe, why should
every nerve in her slight frame thrill so.
if the stranger were no more to her
| than a hundred others had been? Why
was ii that the laugh died on her lip.
and all her courage fed, when she saw
the displeasure 50 strongly marked in
| her fathers face.
Yves the young girl awaking from her
| dream did she begin To feel how truly,
| how ardently she loved? or was the rosy
veil but half lifted from her heart?
She cast supplicatiBg glcnce at her
mother, and her look was answered by
one of sweet and undisturbed affection
That feminine and lovely woman could
sympathize far better with the sweet,
wild feelings that broke so elOquently
that moment, through the troubled ewes
of her child, than with toe stern dis.
pleasure of her husband
She arose from the breakfast-table and
glided from the room, making a sign for
her daughter to follow.
Stay" said the master of the house,
| turning
| toward her own room. Il would ask a
single question, and then let US have
done with the impostor, for, doubtless,
ne is SUCH"
"No, father, no; | would pledge my
| life for his honor he is no impostor," I"
exclaimed Myra, as her father led the
way to a little study that opened from
the breakfast-roOm.
GAS you would have done for the
gentlemanly old man with the Bible,
dare say" was the half humorous, half
Ironical rej0inder. "But answermy ques-
tion, Myra: has this young man ever
presumed to lift his eyes to you as an
equal? has he ever uttered a word
that might lead you to suppose that he
| thinks of you save as a stranger.P'
Indeed, papa, he never has-far, far
from it. When other young men have
overwhelmed me with batteries; when,
as your heiress, homage of every kind
has been lavished upon me, he alone
was silent. Always respectful, always
kind, he has never, for one moment,
taken the attitude often assumed by
other young men who could not boast a
tithe of his merit. He has seldom
spoken to me of himself-never has the
word love passed between u.s."
"You are eloquent, Myra, alike in the
praise and in the defense of this
stranger"
81 speak but the truth, papa"
"Well, | am glad of it. The whole
affair can be more readily dismissed
than | supposed. Now go to your cham
Der, and think no more about it,"
Think no more about it," truly it
was request easily made, but how i'm
possible to obey. Why, the very thought
of that stranger youth had henceforth
the power of an angel spirit which might
steal down and trouble the still waters
of her heart forever. Nyra knew not
even yet that this spirit took the form
of love.
She entered her boudoir again, and
flung herself upon her couch, but how
changed were her feelings-the sweet
dream, so tranquil, so full of rosy con
tent, was swept away like cloud. Her
heart was in a tumult, her cheek burned,
her eyes filled with tears. She felt in
dignant that her father should, for one
moment, hold a doubt of The being in
whom she put such perfect trust.
Thus musing with herself, the young
girl spent an hour of disquiet, when her
reverie was disturbed by servant, who
informed her that Mr.. Whitney was in
the drawing-room. Her first sensation
was thrill of Joy, such as had long,
unconsciousiy, followed his approach.
The next was feeling of reserve, shy,
haifdistrustfrl sensation, such as had
never possessed her warm, frank nature
before.
She went down, not, as had been her
want, with the step of a gazelle, and
with glad smile sparkling in her eyes
and on her lip, but with a lingering
tread and eyes veiled by their snowy
lids and dark lashes. She entered the
drawing groom so gently that its occu-
pant did not at first observe her.
He stood by marble table, near the
window, turning over some books that
lay upon it. The light which fell over
him was subdued by many a glowing
fold of damask that swept over the
windows, thus giving the dim look OF
marble to features so perfectly classical
in their outline, that but the thick wav
ing hair, and the glow of life that per-
yaded them, the head might have been
taken for that of some antique statue
10 these manly attractions was added a
figure, tall beyond the ordinary stan
dard, sinewy, athletic, and yet full of
subtle grace.
While he thought himself alone a
look of tranquil repose lay upon young
Whitney's features, but the moment he
lifted his head and saw the fair girl who
stood hesitating by the door, the whole
character of his face changed a glow OF
animation lighted up his face, and he
came forward with all the eager cordi-
ality that her previous frank bearing
had always warranted.
Myra hesitated before she reached
forth her hand, and when she did place
it in his, it quivered like an aspen. The
young man looked earnestly in her
changing face, and then led her to a
seat, himself prey to all the quick
apprehension that her unusual restraint
was calculated to inspire. A few com
monplace words were spoken, then both
became silent and preoccupied.
At length Myra observed that her
| father had returned home that morning,
but she blushed while saying it, as If
the young man could have guessed al
the conversation that had given SO much
pain to herself.
A vague idea of the truth did evident
ly flash across the young mans mind
for he turned another long and earnest
look upon her face, which was now
glowing crimson TO her temples, and
when he turned his eyes away, the
faintest possible smile stole over his
lips.
1t is" he said, with faint sign-stit
il now more than two months since
arrived in Philadelphia. All that time
your mamma has received me as a guest
Perhaps should not have accepted thi.
hospitality without first convincing her
that ] was not unworthy of it; but
found ii so sweet to be taken on trust
50 hattering to be valued for myscli
alone, that ! had almost forgotten the
reasonable demands o. society. | ought
long since to have convinced her that i
was no impostor 10 whom her kindnes.
had been extended.
4 ssImpostorT exclaimed Myra, with /
smile that told how immpossible sh,
thought it that even suspicion shoule
be attached to him.
aWhat if / were TO be suspected a,
such p added Whitney, with an answer
ing smile.
II would not believe i'll woulf
own lips asserted it = was the generou
reply.
The color swept over young Whitney
face, and there was something in hi
leyes that deepened the crimson OF
Myra's cheek; but he only answered, ii
q low and earnest voice:
4 II thank you; with my whole heart
thank you for this confidence"
! took from his pocket several letter
which. with q hand that trembIed some